07-22-2003, 07:19 PM
Dude,
This guy was big. I don't know if I can distinquish between a diamond back and a timber rattler and can't dispute your comment about no diamond backs in Utah but from observation and the diameter of his body, he was no 3-4ft guy. I would guess in the 5ft plus? range. He was coiled and ready for action so I might have been fooled. His buttons looked to be about 1 1/2 in. length and about 6-8 buttons. He was honkered down in the brush at the side of the road. I wanted to investigate futher and possibly catch him for a closer look but my partner was freaked out so I decided to leave it alone. When I was a kid one of the many things I used to catch for short time observation and even many times for long term captivity were snakes including a few rattlers. I just find wild life in all forms interesting. Have captured skunks, bull snakes, pink racers, blue heron, jack rabbits, ducks, squirrels, magpies, turtles etc., etc.. Needless to say my Chicago born wife put a stop to that right away. I guess that's why when I run across a trapped animal, I have to release it. Trappers, ranchers and most sportsmen would not be happy with me.
Leaky
This guy was big. I don't know if I can distinquish between a diamond back and a timber rattler and can't dispute your comment about no diamond backs in Utah but from observation and the diameter of his body, he was no 3-4ft guy. I would guess in the 5ft plus? range. He was coiled and ready for action so I might have been fooled. His buttons looked to be about 1 1/2 in. length and about 6-8 buttons. He was honkered down in the brush at the side of the road. I wanted to investigate futher and possibly catch him for a closer look but my partner was freaked out so I decided to leave it alone. When I was a kid one of the many things I used to catch for short time observation and even many times for long term captivity were snakes including a few rattlers. I just find wild life in all forms interesting. Have captured skunks, bull snakes, pink racers, blue heron, jack rabbits, ducks, squirrels, magpies, turtles etc., etc.. Needless to say my Chicago born wife put a stop to that right away. I guess that's why when I run across a trapped animal, I have to release it. Trappers, ranchers and most sportsmen would not be happy with me.
Leaky